Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

As I understand it, Senator Brandis, the shadow Attorney-General, who has taken to ringing police ministers encouraging them to take an interest in matters relating to ongoing police investigations, now seeks to lecture me and the government about propriety in these matters. I do not take that sort of advice from Senator Brandis. He has done himself great damage in recent weeks by the way he has abandoned all the things he used to hold dear in order to seek some temporary political advantage. I think—as an observation—that that will come back to haunt him, because his credibility when it comes to these matters will now be measured against his performance on this matter.

In terms of the Prime Minister's commen­tary on the High Court case, can I just say it is perfectly appropriate in a democracy that members of parliament and others debate High Court decisions and pass commentary on them. That is part of a robust democracy and I think it is perfectly appropriate that people do express their views when import­ant decisions are made. (Time expired)